Poor Unfortunate Soles: A 2013 Marathon Weekend (5K, Half and Full Marathon) Trip Report!

Another Marathon Weekend at Disney has come to a close. Let me tell you about it!

The cast includes me (Shannon, 28), my husband Will (27), my brother Craig (aka Princess Craiggy, 26), my mom, Kriss, my aunt Laurie, and my mom’s childhood best friend Barb. I got no photo of all 6 of us, and in fact have no photos at all of my mom, aunt or Barb (not my choice). Le sigh.

Anyhoo, as the title of this report suggests, this year I participated in the 5K, half marathon and full marathon (unofficially known as the Dopey Challenge) during Disney’s Marathon Weekend. Originally this trip was strictly for the Goofy Challenge (the half and full), but the idea of the 5K had been in the back of my mind for a while...eventually I pulled the trigger and signed up in August.

In my previous race reports (for the 2011 Princess Half and the 2012 WDW Full) I rambled on quite a bit about training. This time around I’m going to restrain myself. I actually did document my training on a different message board (not sure why I didn’t do it here…I guess I wanted it to be somewhere where I felt more “anonymous.” I’m weird), so if anyone is interested in reading about that, shoot me a PM and I’ll send you the link. Or if anyone wants the Cliff’s Notes version I can post that here too. I will say that I am extremely Type A and was very, very diligent when it came to preparing for these races. I should also warn you that you won’t find any speedy fast times here, but if you’re looking for a somewhat detailed play-by-play of all 3 races with lots of character pictures, you’ve come to the right place.

4 parks. 3 races. 42.4 miles. Let’s do this!

 

[Ariel484]

Haha to the Jenna Maroney comment! I guess I hadn't really noticed the lady singing before but I will have to take notice. Right after the fireworks, we usually run to something else. 30 Rock is one of my favorite shows. Wish it wasn't over.

Here's what I'm talking about...it starts about 18 seconds in:



We have some Disney music downloaded to our computer (including Wishes!) so we'd already heard it at home...otherwise we probably wouldn't have heard it in the park either.

I really have to get into Gaston's on our next trip. We didn't have a chance or kind of just forgot to stop in and have a brew. Dan was underwhelmed by butterbeer so hopefullly he likes the fruity drink better! Sad you are nearing the end of your trip. When is your next scheduled for?

The tavern itself is really cool...I think it looks great, but it's SMALL. The cinnamon rolls looked amazing...

Next trip for me is the UnOfficial WDWMagic Girls Cruise! Then Will and I are going in December. The trip will be 1. Longer than 4 days and 2. Not centered around a race, so we're SUPER excited.

Oh my goodness, Shannon--between the disappearing fence and the unnoticed chafing on top of the painful feet, you must have been in some kind of "I'm committed to getting this done, ain't nothing gonna be in my way" zone. You should be really proud of the incredible accomplishment you completed this weekend. I am in awe.

I was definitely in the zone! Thanks.

Took me way too long to figure out what was going on with those Jiko trees, but once I did--wow, I want one, too!! Your meal looked fabulous. And you look lovely in the photo. I've never eaten in any of the AKL restaurants, my picky eater is extremely hesitant. But I just realized that I'll be at WDW on my own for a few days in September, so that seems like my chance! I'm going to look out for Three Cape Ladies--I like all three of those wines, so I imagine that I'd really like them blended together

The "running/snoozing" photo with Mickey is brilliant, so funny and perfect--clearly, Will's a good sport!

Will was Googling "wine trees" or something similar last night. Unfortunately he didn't find anything. Knowing Disney they probably had the things shipped in from Africa.

Here's some info on Three Cape Ladies. When we got home I tried to find something close at a couple of stores and turned up empty. I might have to try the wine place near us. There's a bar in Jiko so you could just go there and try the wine and the bread appetizer or something if you're a little iffy on the menu.

I love that photo! Mickey was on the ball with photo-ops that weekend. And yes, Will IS a good sport!

 

[Ariel484]

Day 5: Monday, January 14, 2013

We slept in until about 9 or so on our last day (GLORIOUS) and got ready to check out.

Love these lamps:

I felt much better this morning - still some soreness for sure, but nothing like the previous day. When I got dressed I decided I wanted to wear my super-comfy TOMS...and I had to stuff my feet into them. I stood up and it felt like I had Hulk feet that were trying to burst out of the shoes. I hadn't realized it the previous day because I'd been wearing flip flops, but my feet were SWOLLEN. Ugh.

I switch to a different pair of shoes and we sadly said good-bye to our amazing room. We went to the lobby, did the airline check-in thing, and hopped on a boat to the Polynesian for breakfast. Aloha again, 'Ohana!

The CMs insisted that we pose like this for the photo. Will said it felt like we were taking a prom picture. As awkward as this one is it's much less awkward than my actual prom photo...

Our ADR was at 10:30 and we got seated pretty quickly...FOOD.

This was a really great breakfast, but I was slightly disappointed with the character interaction. We were one of the latest breakfast seatings and were right at the end of the line...and it showed. It was obvious that they wanted to wrap up to close up the place until dinner.

Here you have it...the one time I wore all 4 medals that weekend:

Mickey no longer cared about my running accomplishments...he just wanted to go home!

And now...we feast!

Will really liked the potatoes, but the standout for me was a surprise – the eggs. I normally don't like eggs that are cooked in mass quantities, but these eggs were amazing. I was convinced there was some kind of cheese in them, but our server insisted there wasn't. I still don't really believe her...they tasted so rich and creamy that there had to be an extra somethin' somethin' going on there. I LOVED them. Everything else was good too (though we're back to the super thin, not as awesome Disney bacon).

And these too, of course:

We had a quick audience with Lilo but Stitch never made it to our table.

Breakfast was over by about 11:30 and by 11:45 we were back on a boat. Setting up for a wedding on @HollyBelle and Brett's spot!

 

[Kristia]

Haha! That does sound like Jenna! I can totally picture her doing a melodramatic rendition of Wishes! Last days stink and it also stinks that the characters weren't into it and were "chasing you out". You really don't want to be chased out when its your last day!

 

[TakeMeThere81]

Thanks for the congrats, Melanee! Can't wait to hear about your marathon, and hopefully we can finally meet in person during Marathon Weekend 2015!!

I am so nervous!! Do you have any advice? I guess I am worried that I will break down somewhere after 18 miles or something. I have only ever ran a half marathon, and my training runs haven't quite gotten longer than that. They will very soon though. It just seems like a huge feat-running for over 4 hours!

So sorry your trip report is nearing its end That is always so sad. And that is tough that you didn't get to spend more time in the parks. I was curious too, when is your next trip? Anything before the cruise?

Either way, I loved every minute! Now off to do a 2 hr run...

 

[Ariel484]

Haha! That does sound like Jenna! I can totally picture her doing a melodramatic rendition of Wishes! Last days stink and it also stinks that the characters weren't into it and were "chasing you out". You really don't want to be chased out when its your last day!

The first time I heard that music I thought of her singing "I believe that children are our future" or whatever. Haha! Yeah, I don't need the characters sitting down and having tons of personal time with me, but it is slightly disappointing when they're obviously just rushing through. Luckily the food is good there.

I am so nervous!! Do you have any advice? I guess I am worried that I will break down somewhere after 18 miles or something. I have only ever ran a half marathon, and my training runs haven't quite gotten longer than that. They will very soon though. It just seems like a huge feat-running for over 4 hours!

I think you'll feel better about it once you get into your longer long runs. I remember finishing an 18-miler while training for last year's marathon and just KNOWING that I was going to be able to finish the marathon. I think once you get into the 18-20 mile range you'll get a lot more confident. I know you can do it and I can't wait to hear all about it.

So sorry your trip report is nearing its end That is always so sad. And that is tough that you didn't get to spend more time in the parks. I was curious too, when is your next trip? Anything before the cruise?

Either way, I loved every minute! Now off to do a 2 hr run...

Me too! I guess I need to start accepting the fact that the trip is really over.

Nothing before the cruise. I've heard that people should get to Florida the night before, so I'm probably going to get there the day before and maybe go to a park since I'll still have an AP. I'm not sure that I'll stay on property after the cruise...still not sure. But I have to travel for work alter that month and probably need to see my husband at some point. So after that we're heading back in December for a NON-RUNNING trip. Very excited about that.

Are you still sore after your long run?

 

[Ariel484]

Our Magical Express bus was due to pick us up at 1:50...just enough time to squeeze in some last-minute time at Magic Kingdom!

First stop was Pete's Silly Sideshow to meet some friends.

Minnie and Daisy's line was huge, but Goody and Donald's was doable. The set-up in here is really cute, but the lighting is just AWFUL for pictures. I was able to save some of them though.

The character interaction here was nowhere near as fun as it had been with Mickey in the theater...darn.

It was a little disappointing because both characters were introduced and they put on kind of a funny show...

...then we got to them and it was just wave. Pose. Click. On to the next person.

Seriously, AWFUL lighting. There was no saving the Donald photos with my super-limited photo editing skills.

We gathered our things and made our way toward the exit. On our way out I spotted fellow WDWMagic girl cruiser @jesemeca , said hi and totally creeped her out. Can't blame her - I'm sure the last thing she was expecting was to get recognized by a total stranger, and now that I think about it I'm not sure we've ever "met" on the boards. I'm so awkward. Sorry Jess...it was nice meeting you!

 

[Ariel484]

We strolled back through New Fantasyland (much more crowded this morning compared to last night) on our way back to the castle.

By now (about 1PM) it was really starting to sink in that the trip was almost over and that we really had not had much park time at all. I mean...we both knew that it would be like this coming in to this trip, but now that it was time to go home it was really hitting us. So we really weren't in great moods at that point...and I hate that this is how I remember our last morning.

Will was (correctly) telling me that we needed to get back to the resort, but I was being stubborn and insisting on squeezing out every last second that we could. So I took a detour into the Confectionary.

Maybe someday I'll work up the courage to tackle one of those Mickey apples...

While I was in line a CM gave Will a rice krispie sample...I chased him down and grabbed one for myself. Yum!

Then I had a little photo-shoot with my snack...a Mickey red velvet cake pop!

The red velvet part was really good. The ears were marshmallow though...I would have preferred more cake. But I always prefer more cake.

Will kept telling me that we needed to go, and I just ignored him to focus on cake. We were already both tense because of the trip ending/less park time thing, and by now we were both pushing one another's buttons - him by saying we needed to leave and me by just ignoring him like a ridiculous child. Not a fun way to end our trip at all.

As you would expect we eventually did leave the park and head back to the resort. We said our final good-bye to the Grand Floridian and headed back to MCO. Bye-bye Disney, and bye-bye Marathon Weekend.

 

[Ariel484]

Final Thoughts

Grand Floridian: Perfect, perfect, perfect. I know people think this place is stuffy and uptight, but we never felt that way at all. From the grounds (despite the construction) to the room to the main lobby, everything was wonderful, comfortable and welcoming. The Cast Members here were great - super friendly and engaging. Loved having the monorail right there and loved being right on Bay Lake. Zero complaints from us. The Boardwalk still has its hold over me (lots of amazing memories there for us) but the Grand Floridian is definitely up there as one of my favorite Disney resorts after this trip. We have a few other places we want to try out (specifically the Wilderness Lodge - which we were hoping to book for part of our next trip but got shut out of - and the Yacht Club) but we will definitely return to the Grand Floridian someday.

Food: The only new-to-us place on this trip was Gaspirilla Island in the Grand Floridian, and it was really good! Some really nice choices there. I automatically love any place at Disney that offers those house-made potato chips. And while I'd been to Roaring Forks at Wilderness Lodge and Kona Café before, going to these places for breakfast were firsts. The solo breakfast after the 5K at Wilderness Lodge is one of my favorite memories of the trip, and the Kona breakfast was incredible. Can't wait to go back to both.
Everywhere else we ate - Wolfgang Puck Express, Boulangerie Patisserie, Via Napoli, 'Ohana (for breakfast and dinner) and Jiko were places we've been before, and all of them were excellent.

We tried a few other new things, including LeFou's brew (eh, not for me) new cupcakes. The final reviews (in order of ones we liked least to what we liked best):
Chocolate Beer Cupcake (Captain Cook’s at the Polynesian): WEIRD. I could taste the chocolate AND the beer at the same time. The icing was good but didn't have a lot of flavor. Bonus points for coming with chocolate-covered pretzels...but I wouldn't get it again.
'Smores Cupcake (Gaspirilla Island at the Grand Floridian): It was fine.A chocolate cupcake with fudge on the inside, garnished with marshmallows and graham crackers.Nothing special about this one.I think my problem with 'smore cupcakes is I keep comparing them to this AMAZING 'smore cupcake I got in Cooperstown a few summers back that was chocolate with graham-cracker/marshmallow-flavored icing, and nothing will top that one.It was incredible.And clearly I need help since I'm waxing poetic about a cupcake I ate years ago... anyway...ultimately I don’t think I'd get this one again either.I remember liking the 'smores cupcake at the Boardwalk Bakery a little better than this one.
Red Velvet Cupcake (Starring Rolls in Hollywood Studios): The clear winner of the weekend. The cake was super moist with a subtle cocoa flavor, and the cream cheese icing was...well...creamy and delicious. The big downside here is that Starring Rolls closes at 4PM, so when I get this cupcake again (because I WILL) I'll just have to keep that in mind.

My biggest snack regret of the weekend is not getting to try the Nutella waffle with fruit from Sleepy Hollow in the Magic Kingdom. The timing just never worked out...that's at the top of my to-do (to-eat?) list for our next trip. My other big food disappointment was the realization that apparently the Chip & Dale snack company no longer makes Mickey's pretzels...or if they do I couldn't find them. Those were my favorite post-Disney race snack. So sad.

The Parks: Can’t say much here because we just didn't have a lot of park time on this trip. For the second year in a row I managed to miss Animal Kingdom completely, except for the 15 or so minutes I was there during the marathon. We really liked New Fantasyland, but it's so SMALL. I'm looking forward to the rest of it opening up. Overall, I just don't try to look for things that are going wrong when I'm in the parks...so if you're looking for a report like that, I can't help you.

 

[Kristia]

So sorry your ending wasn't that great. We had a lot less park time than we are used to also. It is hard to get into the mentality of "we can't do it all this time". We totally missed AK too which I really enjoy. We had to pick something to skip and unfortunately, it was AK. Running 2 races (3 for you!) and trying to take it somewhat easy in the days before the races just cuts into so much park time! Great report!! Here's to our next trips being non-race trips!

 

[Ariel484]

Final Thoughts - Goofy's Race-and-a-Half Challenge/Dopey Challenge

Going Goofy: I'm so incredibly glad that I took on this challenge. It was a grueling weekend for sure, but I think the difficult part of actually signing up for this was committing myself to training for it. So while I am, of course, proud that I finished the races, I think the bigger triumph is that I successfully made it through training and got to the starting line(s) ready to go and injury-free. And what makes it sweeter is that I did it on MY TERMS. (WARNING: mini-rant ahead): Early on I decided to use a beginning marathon training schedule - the same one I used for the 2012 marathon - to get ready for Goofy and had someone tell me that I needed to re-think my plan. They told me that I wasn't doing enough mileage and that I'd be sorry by the end of the weekend, IF I was able to actually make it to that point. This really stuck with me, and because I am stubborn I resolved even more to just stick to what I was sure would work best for me. I think this is the best decision I could have made, because I know what my body and my schedule can tolerate. As a result of running what I was told was "not enough miles," I made it through all of 2012 (a 9-month "base-building" period followed by 18 weeks of training) without ever feeling like running was taking over my life, without any injuries, and with only one period of getting sick (a sinus infection over Labor Day weekend). I completed the races and felt completely recovered from them 4 days later. Can't ask for much more than that. /rant over.

Goofy as a first marathon? I'm not sure if I've mentioned this here or not, but right before I signed up for the marathon in 2012 - my first ever - I had a crazy thought that maybe I should go Goofy then. So my first marathon would have been part of a Goofy Challenge. I am SO glad I didn't do this. During race weekend this year I was much more nervous than I expected to be and had to deal with two extremely early wake-up calls (plus a third with the 5K - not as early as the half and full but still pretty early). I cannot imagine having that stress PLUS staring down my first-ever 26.2. This is a long-winded way of saying that I am not sure I could have mentally handled the pressure of training for and completing these races if I hadn't already trained for and completed another marathon. That experience - the knowledge that I'd successfully trained for and completed the distance once before - was invaluable.

Going Dopey: I'm glad I did it once, but unless someone wants me to run a 5K with them I don't think I'll do it again. It's too much money, and that 3rd early wake-up call was really a killer.

Race weekends at Disney: In a perfect world, we'd come to Disney for the race weekends and then stay for 3-4 days afterward...but we'll never be able to do this with Will's teaching schedule. So while we knew going in that this trip was going to be focused on the races, it was really magnified with having Saturday AND Sunday almost completely sucked away by the race and whatever recovery came afterward (ice bath, nap, etc.). This really hit us hard, and I felt (and still feel) incredibly guilty that we really didn't get to the parks as much during this trip. Yes, the trip was centered around the races, but it was Will's trip just as much as it was mine, and I feel like he got short-changed. Three of our last four trips to Disney have been quick, hectic weekend trips centered around a race (or races), and I'm starting to feel selfish about it. After this one we are SO ready (and SO EXCITED) for a longer trip with NO RACING...

...but that certainly doesn't mean that I'm done running at Disney. Up next for me is the Castaway Cay 5K during the UnOfficial WDWMagic Girls Cruise in September. And Will is definitely interested in doing an Expedition Everest Challenge at some point (YAY!! ) so we'll be looking at that in 2014 or 2015.

Beyond that I'd like to complete the other longer Disney races and get a Coast-to-Coast medal. I'm definitely going to do the Tower of Terror 10-miler and the Wine & Dine Half at some point, but quick weekend trips to California for the Tinkerbell and Disneyland Half marathons and somehow combining one of those trips with a race at WDW in the same calendar year to get that Coast-to-Coast medal seem a lot less likely for three big reasons: 1.) MONEY, 2.) I definitely want to take a trip out to California, but I want it to be a longer one so that we can see other parts of the state as well as Disneyland - not possible in January (Tinkerbell Half) or September (Disneyland Half), and 3.) We'd like to have a kiddo at some point here. So I'm sure I'll complete all of the races and get the Coast-to-Coast medal someday...but it most likely won't be any time soon.

Going Goofy again? So I've gone Goofy once...would I do it again?

Immediately after finishing last year's marathon I thought I was done with the distance. Before I even set foot on property this year I was already pretty sure when I wanted to do Goofy Challenge #2. 2015 is the 10th anniversary of the Goofy Challenge, and while I know it won't be as big a deal as the 20th anniversary of the marathon was (because the marathon is where running at Disney got its start), I know there will be a shiny, pudry 10th anniversary Goofy medal up for grabs. And I full intend to earn one.

Thanks for reading everyone! Have a magical day!!

 

[Ariel484]

So sorry your ending wasn't that great. We had a lot less park time than we are used to also. It is hard to get into the mentality of "we can't do it all this time". We totally missed AK too which I really enjoy. We had to pick something to skip and unfortunately, it was AK. Running 2 races (3 for you!) and trying to take it somewhat easy in the days before the races just cuts into so much park time! Great report!! Here's to our next trips being non-race trips!

Yeah, I hate that it ended on such a downer...but as you know that's the reality of these race trips. Poor AK, sounds like it got the shaft from a lot of us!

And AMEN to our next trips being non-race trips!!! I love doing these Disney races but I'm more than ready for a normal trip.

 

[plaz10]

Shannon! Really fantastic trip report. Almost has me wanting to run a marathon...ALMOST. Let's start with a half and see how that goes. It's not looking good I'll tell you that! 5ks are more my kind of run.

But a major congrats to you on accomplishing such an impressive goal...seriously proud of you, girlie! And I completely get that "frustrated so I snap at the husband even though I'm just projecting my anger of leaving Disney onto him" feeling. The night Bill proposed I actually had previously yelled at him that we should be at DHS because we still had more to accomplish. I can't be held responsible for my actions when Disney is involved.

Great TR as usual! And congrats again!!

 

[jesemeca]

We gathered our things and made our way toward the exit. On our way out I spotted fellow WDWMagic girl cruiser @jesemeca , said hi and totally creeped her out. Can't blame her - I'm sure the last thing she was expecting was to get recognized by a total stranger, and now that I think about it I'm not sure we've ever "met" on the boards. I'm so awkward. Sorry Jess...it was nice meeting you!

It was nice meeting you also. You didn't creep me out. LOL I was just trying to figure out how you recognized me. My mom and nanny were really confused on who you were. That was a 20 minute conversation all in itself. LOL.

 

[Ariel484]

Shannon! Really fantastic trip report. Almost has me wanting to run a marathon...ALMOST. Let's start with a half and see how that goes. It's not looking good I'll tell you that! 5ks are more my kind of run.

But a major congrats to you on accomplishing such an impressive goal...seriously proud of you, girlie! And I completely get that "frustrated so I snap at the husband even though I'm just projecting my anger of leaving Disney onto him" feeling. The night Bill proposed I actually had previously yelled at him that we should be at DHS because we still had more to accomplish. I can't be held responsible for my actions when Disney is involved.

Great TR as usual! And congrats again!!

Thanks! Glad you like the report. And hey, not everyone has to run a marathon.

YES, that's exactly what that last day was...projecting anger/frustration. We were both doing it. Really not the best way to end our trip.

Thanks for the congrats!!!

It was nice meeting you also. You didn't creep me out. LOL I was just trying to figure out how you recognized me. My mom and nanny were really confused on who you were. That was a 20 minute conversation all in itself. LOL.

Haha...okay, good. We walked away and my husband was like "you freaked that poor girl out! Sorry to throw you under the bus here in the report too... Congrats on getting your picture with Minnie and Daisy, I wanted that one but the line was too long!

 

[LindsayLoves]

I completed the races and felt completely recovered from them 4 days later. Can't ask for much more than that. /rant over.

This is awesome and how you know your training really worked. I felt great two days after the full which shocked me, I had never run that kind of mileage before and my training the last month was pretty weak due to injury, putting in that work for the months before really paid off. People are super opinionated about what others should do to prep for races but you know what your body needs over anyone else and those people should cram it!

...but that certainly doesn't mean that I'm done running at Disney. Up next for me is the Castaway Cay 5K during the UnOfficial WDWMagic Girls Cruise in September. And Will is definitely interested in doing an Expedition Everest Challenge at some point (YAY!! ) so we'll be looking at that in 2014 or 2015.

That is a killer next Disney race! Expecting a full TR when you return. I adore cruising (8+ cruises under my belt at this point) and would love to hit up a Disney cruise one day but my soon to be husband can't get his mind wrapped around going on a ship which is a phobia he will have to get over at some point. Glad to see that Will is willing to join you in the EEC, my guy wants to do a Tough Mudder like event that has obstacles built in, I might have to compromise on that one if he'll agree to cruise...

 

[WishIWasAtWDW]

Great report, Shannon! I'm so sad that it is over. That is such a bummer that your trip ended on a somewhat bad note. That is the worse when you are sad that your trip is almost over and it puts you in a bad mood and then instead of enjoying the time you have left, you are so sad or upset that it almost ruins the end of the trip. Can you tell that this has also happened to me?

I'm glad you liked the Grand Floridian. I love the theme of the resort and think it screams classic Disney so I am always surprised when people say it feels too stuffy. Sadly, I think it screams classic Disney to me because the Tanner family stayed there when they went to WDW on an episode of Full House. Hahaha Anyways...I love the Grand Floridian too! I just wish it wasn't so expensive or I would love to stay there more often.

I thought I was totally done with running but reading your report has made me think I may need to do another runDisney race. Maybe I'm not totally done with running but maybe just any non-Disney running.

Thanks again for sharing! I hope you get to go on a longer trip to Disney soon with only limited time spent running.

 

[Katherine]

Loved your summary! Hope to see you at the start line! 2015 will be here before you know it!

 

[GatorAsh]

What an inspiring trip report! Makes me consider doing a Disney race! I'll be there this weekend during the Princess Half (but not to race)- thanks for the fun 'trip' along with you!
I'm also thinking of signing up for the Unofficial Ladies Cruise- and would love to do the 5K!

 

[TakeMeThere81]

I think you'll feel better about it once you get into your longer long runs. I remember finishing an 18-miler while training for last year's marathon and just KNOWING that I was going to be able to finish the marathon. I think once you get into the 18-20 mile range you'll get a lot more confident. I know you can do it and I can't wait to hear all about it.

Me too! I guess I need to start accepting the fact that the trip is really over.

Nothing before the cruise. I've heard that people should get to Florida the night before, so I'm probably going to get there the day before and maybe go to a park since I'll still have an AP. I'm not sure that I'll stay on property after the cruise...still not sure. But I have to travel for work alter that month and probably need to see my husband at some point. So after that we're heading back in December for a NON-RUNNING trip. Very excited about that.

Are you still sore after your long run?

Thanks for your encouragement! I'm feeling awesome today! No knee soreness or otherwise thank goodness! I was going to go for an easy 3-miler but I bagged instead to study for my exam tomorrow. Sometimes going for an easy run 2 days after a long run seems to shake out any remaining soreness. But I am going to get up early tomorrow and do a morning workout instead. I think it will help me test better too

You and Will sound like my husband and I on one afternoon of our last trip. It is easy to think that everything always goes perfectly because you are in a wonderful place, but sometimes things can get sour. I think you came back with lots of great memories and the good thing is you have nice trips coming up! Your husband sounds like a real trooper too!

I love the new character pictures! Donald's outfit is awesome!

 

[Ariel484]

This is awesome and how you know your training really worked. I felt great two days after the full which shocked me, I had never run that kind of mileage before and my training the last month was pretty weak due to injury, putting in that work for the months before really paid off. People are super opinionated about what others should do to prep for races but you know what your body needs over anyone else and those people should cram it!

Yeah, not that I think I'm some expert or something, but I feel like I have been doing this long enough that I know better what works for ME than some stranger on the internet. That's awesome that you recovered so quickly, even after not having as much training over the last month. It really goes to show you that missing a run here and there doesn't completely cancel out all the other hard work that's been done.


LOL at "those people should cram it!" YEAH THEY SHOULD!

That is a killer next Disney race! Expecting a full TR when you return. I adore cruising (8+ cruises under my belt at this point) and would love to hit up a Disney cruise one day but my soon to be husband can't get his mind wrapped around going on a ship which is a phobia he will have to get over at some point. Glad to see that Will is willing to join you in the EEC, my guy wants to do a Tough Mudder like event that has obstacles built in, I might have to compromise on that one if he'll agree to cruise...

Your husband sounds exactly like my husband...the thought of being out in the middle of the ocean on a boat completely freaks him out. I'm pretty sure this cruise will be the only one I go on just because I know he'll never do it. You should join us on the Dream in September!! Of course it's the week after the Disneyland Half, so I bet it would be pretty hard for you to swing it...

Good luck to you if you do end up signing up for a Tough Mudder...I have NO desire to ever do one of those!

Isn't your wedding sooooon?? YAY!

Great report, Shannon! I'm so sad that it is over. That is such a bummer that your trip ended on a somewhat bad note. That is the worse when you are sad that your trip is almost over and it puts you in a bad mood and then instead of enjoying the time you have left, you are so sad or upset that it almost ruins the end of the trip. Can you tell that this has also happened to me?

Thanks Ashley! Yeah, I guess it happens to all of us from time to time. Overall I do have good memories of the weekend as a whole. At least we left knowing when we'd come back next. That makes it easier!

I'm glad you liked the Grand Floridian. I love the theme of the resort and think it screams classic Disney so I am always surprised when people say it feels too stuffy. Sadly, I think it screams classic Disney to me because the Tanner family stayed there when they went to WDW on an episode of Full House. Hahaha Anyways...I love the Grand Floridian too! I just wish it wasn't so expensive or I would love to stay there more often.

I used to think it was stuffy until I actually went inside the resort for the first time...then I just thought it was awesome. I think I read in the Unofficial Guide that people think it's stuffy so that just kind of warped my ideas of the place...or something. But once we were there for a bit (I think the first time we were there it was for dinner at Citricos in 2011) we didn't get the stuffy vibe at all. I hear you on the price though...my dream trip would be a split stay between the Grand Floridian and the Polynesian. If we start saving now maybe we'll have the cash for it by our 10th anniversary in 2019...

AHH I totally remember that episode! They had tea with the characters and Steve surprised DJ...good times. I don't think I've seen that one since it first aired on TGIF (OMG...remember TGIF?! ).

I thought I was totally done with running but reading your report has made me think I may need to do another runDisney race. Maybe I'm not totally done with running but maybe just any non-Disney running.

Thanks again for sharing! I hope you get to go on a longer trip to Disney soon with only limited time spent running.

runDisney just sucks you back in, don't they?

We're booked for a week-long stay in December! NO RACES! (But I'm sure I'll be hitting the hotel treadmill a few times that week.) Woohoo!!

Loved your summary! Hope to see you at the start line! 2015 will be here before you know it!

Thanks Katherine! I'm sure we'll meet in person at some point...probably the WDWMagic meet-up before the 2015 marathon.

What an inspiring trip report! Makes me consider doing a Disney race! I'll be there this weekend during the Princess Half (but not to race)- thanks for the fun 'trip' along with you!
I'm also thinking of signing up for the Unofficial Ladies Cruise- and would love to do the 5K!

Thanks! Ooh, lucky you...great time of the year to be at WDW. I hope you have a fabulous trip!

YES, do join us on the cruise! It's going to be a great time!! I'm really looking forward to the 5K...I have heard that participants get a (plastic) finisher "medal" and that the race is F-R-E-E!

Thanks for your encouragement! I'm feeling awesome today! No knee soreness or otherwise thank goodness! I was going to go for an easy 3-miler but I bagged instead to study for my exam tomorrow. Sometimes going for an easy run 2 days after a long run seems to shake out any remaining soreness. But I am going to get up early tomorrow and do a morning workout instead. I think it will help me test better too

Good, glad you're feeling good! Seriously, those longer runs will help your confidence a lot. How's school going? When are you due to graduate? I forget if I mentioned this to you or anywhere else in the report, but Princess Craiggy is starting grad school in the fall for nursing! Yikes! Good thing we aren't planning on Marathon Weekend 2014. There's no way he'd have time to train with a full course load and clinicals (actually, I'm sure he could carve out the time...but he doesn't really have a great history with that. )

You and Will sound like my husband and I on one afternoon of our last trip. It is easy to think that everything always goes perfectly because you are in a wonderful place, but sometimes things can get sour. I think you came back with lots of great memories and the good thing is you have nice trips coming up! Your husband sounds like a real trooper too!

I love the new character pictures! Donald's outfit is awesome!

I definitely have good memories of this trip overall. It was good in a way because it did make me realize that we are more than due for a "normal" trip. These races are so addicting and I was definitely getting in to the mindset of really wanting to do at least one per year, and after this trip I don't think that's the best thing for us since we can really only go to Disney once or twice per year. And yes, Will is a trooper! He's been really good about letting me do these races. I was hoping to think of something fun to do for him on our next trip...planning on booking the Segway tour (which we did a couple of years ago and LOVED) but now they don't offer it anymore. So I'll need to think of something else.

I love the new character set-ups too! I just need someone to figure out how to work with that lighting and then give me a tutorial so I don't get that weird pink haze in all of my pictures...then I'll be set.